Education & Technology

Online learning is growing massively in popularity, and is even the preferred choice of many young learners. Their parents sometimes have some reservations, including the fact that some feel that their kids spend enough time surfing the internet already. Also of concern is internet safety, which applies to any online activities, not just social networking outside school hours.

Responsible parents monitor their children’s internet usage. Though online learning is likely to offer fewer threats to personal safety than other activities, it is recommended that parents make sure they know what is going on. Online learning may extend further than simple one-to-one interactions with an online tutor, and a watchful eye is advisable.

Safety issues in online learning

Online learning, almost by definition, makes use of all the wonderful interactive possibilities that the web has to offer. It therefore may involve some of the same risks.

An obvious risk, though one that poses no personal safety threat, is that of computer viruses. Parents should ensure that their computer is protected with up-to-date antivirus and allied software. All websites today, including online learning sites, are vulnerable and viruses do not discriminate between high quality sites and others. Antivirus measures are not just to make sure that the home computer doesn’t crash, but also to make sure that others are not affected.

This should, of course, be standard practice for anyone using the internet. Similarly, using content control software that limits children’s access to unsuitable sites on the internet is something all parents should consider if their child is engaged in online learning.

Other internet safety issues are to do with important issues of personal safety. One of the advantages of online learning, and one that many online tutors may endorse, is community learning. Online tutors may encourage their students to participate in discussion forums and visit other internet learning places. Though rare, this does open up the possibility of cyber-bullying by peers, and even more rarely, abuse by internet stalkers and groomers of children.

Parents may wish to ask online tutors to specify what websites their children will be directed towards. They may also wish to specify that their child is not to be put into contact with other learners without express parental permission. Parents are also advised to impress upon their children the point made above: just because they are visiting online learning sites doesn’t mean that exercising the usual cautionary measures can be suspended. That includes giving out personal information, including telephone numbers and addresses.

In an age where many parents are extremely concerned about people who prey on children, there is also a need to exercise caution when hiring online tutors. Again, the chances of abuse are remote, but when it comes to children’s safety, it doesn’t hurt to be careful. Going through an agency or educational establishment that vets tutors is one option. If hiring through a private advertisement, parents should be sure to check references and testimonials. If there are any concerns, or if the tutoring will involve face-to-face meetings as well as online learning, a criminal records check may be appropriate in some circumstances.

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With a number of digital formats available in the market, it is very obvious that there are confusions regarding EDTV and HDTV. I found the topic quite interesting and had a sudden thought in my mind. Why not share my views with everyone? Firstly, my article would help in clearing the confusions that still exists among people. Moreover, they will be able to reach the conclusion and finally know which one is actually better. I am quite sure that many of you still are not aware of the full forms of the digital televisions. Well, EDTV stands for Enhanced Definition Television and High Definition Television is the full form of HDTV.

In order to have a clear understanding about EDTV v/s HDTV we have to go back a little when there was only traditional TV in the market. Traditional television had 525 interlaced lines of video. Interlacing means every video frame is split into two fields and every field is displayed alternatively. Inspite of 525 video lines existing, 480 lines only contain video. It is therefore referred as 480i (interlaced 480 lines). This kind is referred to as SDTV or Standard Definition Television. This worked great for almost 50 years but with TV sets getting bigger and projectors gaining more popularity, the quality deficiencies can be understood.

In order to improve image quality displayed on your television, the perfect alternative to SDTV is HDTV. However, in between, the industry also came with EDTV or Enhanced Definition Television. The EDTV contains 480 lines similar to SDTV, but all are progressive scan. Thus it is known as 480p. Progressive scanning means 480 video lines will be shown at once instead of the signals splitting into two fields. It results in improvement of video quality which is definitely noticeable.

But in order to display HDTV and EDTV a new TV projector is required. The DVD players are mostly progressive scan in today’s market. It means that they output EDTV signals. But you will require a projector or TV capable of displaying the progressive scan pictures in its full glory.

As far as content is concerned, HDTV format has limited TV content where as EDTV can display the contents available on DVD disc that are currently available in the market.

What is the bottom line? More or less every HDTV projector will display EDTV as well. So if you are residing in a country where HDTV content is very limited or even non-existent it is worth watching DVD collection in EDTV.

Author Bio:Emma Hamilton is a freelance content writer and  she writes  articles and blogs on Xfinity internet  and others cell phones related technologies.

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